Filter dehydrator

Abstract

A filter dehydrator for sensing the presence of and separating free water in a transient flow of fluid is disclosed comprising an inlet for the fluid, and outlet for the fluid, a mass of water absorptive cellulosic fibers disposed between the inlet and the outlet and a filter medium means upstream of the absorptive mass for removing solid particles that would block the active surface of the mass and for dispersing water droplets in the fluid. The preferred water absorptive cellulosic fiber mass is a water-insoluble cross-linked carboxymethyl cellulose fiber and the preferred filter and disperser is a fiberglass medium filter.

I claim: 
     
       1. A filter dehydrator comprising: an element having an inlet for fluid to be filtered and an outlet for filtered fluid,   a confined passageway establishing communication between said inlet and said outlet,   a mass of water absorptive cellulosic fibers comprising a water-insoluble cross-linked carboxymethyl cellulose fiber medium disposed within said passage permitting the passage of hydrocarbon fluids therethrough while swelling upon the presence of free water to block the flow of fluid between said inlet and said outlet, and   a fiberglass medium filter means disposed within said passage upstream of said water absorptive mass for removing substantially all solid particles that would block the active surface of said mass and for dispersing water droplets in the hydrocarbon fluid.   
     
     
       2. The filter dehydrator of claim 1 wherein said fiberglass medium filter means filters out solids having a particle size of greater than 2 micrometers. 
     
     
       3. The filter dehydrator of claim 1 wherein said fiberglass medium filter means comprises a fiberglass having an average fiber diameter of substantially 0.00005 inches and a density of substantially 10 pounds per cubic foot. 
     
     
       4. A filter dehydrator for use in a system for sensing the presence of separating water in a transient hydrocarbon fluid, the system including a vessel having a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet, the improvement comprising: a substantially water-insoluble cross-linked sodium carboxymethyl cellulose fiber medium,   a filter medium means upstream of said absorptive medium for dispersing water droplets in the stream of hydrocarbon fluid and comprising a fiber glass medium having an average fiber diameter substantially 0.00005 inches and a density in the range of substantially 10 pounds per cubic foot, and   a fiber medium retaining barrier means and a medium support structure downstream of said fiber medium.   
     
     
       5. The filter dehydrator of claim 4 wherein said fiber medium retaining barrier means comprises wraps of resin impregnated filter paper preventing passage of water soaked fibers of said fiber medium and a screen member downstream of said barrier means.